Method and apparatus for spread spectrum radio signal recovery in wideband spread spectrum communication systems

ABSTRACT

Methods to recover spread spectrum radio signals are provided. A representative method includes recovering clock information from a plurality of signals from emitted from at least one basestation, aligning the plurality of signals using the recovered clock information, combining at least two of the aligned signals, and recovering information from the combined signal. Systems and other methods are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/275,192, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Spread Spectrum Radio Signal Recovery in Wideband Spread Communication Systems,” filed Mar. 12, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention is generally related to wireless communication systems and, more particularly, is related to systems and methods for spread spectrum radio signal recovery.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] With the increasing availability of efficient, low cost electronic modules, mobile communication systems are becoming more and more widespread. For example, there are many variations of communication schemes in which various frequencies, transmission schemes, modulation techniques and communication protocols are used to provide two-way voice and data communications in a handheld telephone like communication handset. The different modulation and transmission schemes each have advantages and disadvantages.

[0006] The next generation of wireless communication is referred to as 3G, which stands for third generation. 3G refers to pending improvements in wireless data and voice communications through a variety of proposed standards. One goal of 3G systems is to raise transmission speeds from 9.5 kilobits (Kbits) to 2 megabits (Mbits) per second. 3G also adds a mobile dimension to services that are becoming part of everyday life, such as Internet and intranet access, videoconferencing, and interactive application sharing. This advancement in wireless communication necessitates improvements in the area of spread spectrum radio signal recovery. One aspect of spread spectrum radio signal recovery is multipath signals, which are two or more identical signals from the same antenna reaching the receiver at different times due to taking different paths from the antenna to the receiver.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention provides a method and system for spread spectrum radio signal recovery in wideband spread spectrum communication systems.

[0008] Briefly described, one embodiment of the system comprises an antenna, a radio frequency subsystem, a baseband subsystem, and at least one peripheral device. The radio frequency subsystem is coupled to the antenna and includes a high frequency oscillator and a low frequency oscillator. The baseband subsystem is coupled to the radio frequency system and includes a free running counter coupled to the high frequency oscillator and the low frequency oscillator and a multipath signal recovery circuit coupled to the free running counter. The multipath signal recovery circuit includes a plurality of single path processors to recover clock information from a plurality of incoming signals. The peripheral device is coupled to the baseband subsystem to receive and supply signals to the baseband receiver.

[0009] The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method of recovering spread spectrum radio signals. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, can be broadly summarized as including the steps of recovering clock information from a plurality of signals from emitted from at least one basestation, aligning the plurality of signals using the recovered clock information, combining at least two of the aligned signals, and recovering information from the combined signal.

[0010] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating of one embodiment of a third generation portable transceiver according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a free running counter in the WCDMA modem of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the WCDMA modem of FIG. 1 including the multipath monitor and multipath radio signal recovery circuit.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of providing a mobile time reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Having summarized various aspects of the present invention, reference will now be made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a simplified 3G portable transceiver 20. In one embodiment, portable transceiver 20 can be, for example but not limited to, a portable telecommunication handset such as a mobile cellular-type telephone. Portable transceiver 20 includes antenna 22 connected to radio frequency subsystem 24. RF subsystem 24 includes receiver 26, receiver baseband analog processor (BAP) 28, transmitter 30, transmitter BAP 32, high frequency oscillator (which may be implemented as a temperature controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO)) 34, low frequency oscillator (which may be a 32 KHz crystal oscillator (CO)) 36, and transmitter/receiver switch 38.

[0018] Antenna 22 transmits signals to and receives signals from switch 38 via connection 40. Switch 38 controls whether a transmit signal on connection 42 from transmitter 30 is transferred to antenna 22 or whether a received signal from antenna 22 is supplied to receiver 26 via connection 44. Receiver 26 receives and recovers transmitted analog information of a received signal and supplies a signal representing this information via connection 46 to receiver BAP 28. Receiver BAP 28 converts these analog signals to a digital signal at baseband frequency and transfers it via bus 48 to baseband subsystem 50.

[0019] Baseband subsystem 50 includes WCDMA modem 52, microprocessor 54, memory 56, digital signal processor (DSP) 58, and peripheral interface 60 in communication via bus 62. Bus 62, although shown as a single bus, may be implemented using multiple busses connected as necessary among the subsystems within baseband system 50. WCDMA modem 52, microprocessor 54, memory 56, and DSP 58 provide the signal timing, processing, and storage functions for portable transceiver 20. Memory 56 may include dual port ram shared by microprocessor 54 and DSP 58.

[0020] Peripheral interface 60 provides connection to baseband subsystem 50 for a variety of items. These items may include, but are not limited to, devices that are physically part of portable transceiver 20, such as speaker 62, display 64, keyboard 66, and microphone 68, and devices that would be externally connected to portable transceiver 20, such as personal computer (PC) 70, test system 72, and host system 74. Speaker 62 and display 64 receive signals from baseband subsystem 50 via connections 76 and 78, respectively, as known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, keyboard 66 and microphone 68 supply signals to baseband subsystem 50 via connections 80 and 82, respectively. PC 70, test system 72, and host system 74 all receive signals from and transmit signals to baseband subsystem 50 via connections 84, 86, and 88, respectively.

[0021] Baseband subsystem 50 provides control signals to RF subsystem 24 via connection 90. Although shown as a single connection 90, the control signals may originate from WCDMA modem 52, microprocessor 54, or DSP 58, and are supplied to a variety of points within RF subsystem 24. These points include, but are not limited to, receiver 26, receiver BAP 28, transmitter 30, transmitter BAP 32, TCXO 34, and switch 38.

[0022] WCDMA modem 52 receives the digital signal from receiver BAP 28 on bus 48 and provides a digital signal to transmitter BAP 32 on bus 92. Transmitter BAP 32 converts this digital signal to an analog signal at radio frequency for transmission on connector 94 to receiver 30. Receiver 30 generates the transmit signal which is provided to antenna 22 via connectors 40, 42 and switch 38. The operation of switch 38 is controlled by a control signal from baseband subsystem 50 via connection 90.

[0023] TCXO 34 provides a clock to receiver 26, transmitter 30, and WCDMA modem 52 via connectors 96, 98, and 100, respectively, and CO 36 provides on connector 102 a 32 KHz clock to WCDMA modem 52. These two clocks are used by WCDMA modem 52 to create a mobile time reference. This mobile time reference is constantly running and has an accuracy of approximately 32 nanoseconds.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, a portion of WCDMA modem 52 is shown illustrating free running counter (FRC) 104 which generates the mobile time reference for use by portable transceiver 20. FRC 104 is provided with a clock signal from the TCXO on line 100 and a clock signal from the CO on line 102. The clock signal from the TCXO on line 100 can be a 30.72 MHz, and the clock signal from the CO on line 102 can be 32 KHz. FRC 104 includes TCXO circuit 106, phase locked loop (PLL) 108, counter 110, drift estimator 112, and correction circuit 114. TXCO circuit 106 using the 30.72 MHz clock generates the mobile time reference. The 32 KHz clock is phase locked to the 30.72 MHz clock for improved performance using PLL 108. Counter 110 counts the cycles of the 32 KHz clock. Drift estimator 112 provides on estimate of the drift of the 32 KHz clock for use by correction circuit 114. The estimate of drift includes both the drift and bias of the clock as provided by a Kalman estimation as known to those having ordinary skill in the art. FRC 104 operates in two time domains, 30.72 MHz or 32 KHz, depending on whether the portable transceiver 20 is in active mode or idle mode, respectively.

[0025] In active mode the portable transceiver is actively transmitting, receiving, processing, or looking for signals. During idle mode the portable transceiver powers down most of its circuits to conserve power. The CO is always on providing a continuous 32 KHz clock signal to FRC 104, but the TCXO is turned off during idle mode.

[0026] Now referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the WCDMA modem is shown. When the portable transceiver is in active mode, FRC 104 provides the mobile time reference including clock-phase, chip-counter, and slot-counter on bus 150 to primary sync searcher 116, secondary sync searcher 118, gold code searcher 120, and single-path processor (SPP) controller 122 as shown in FIG. 3. A 10 millisecond radio frame is divided into 15 slots (slot-counter 0-14). Each slot includes 2,560 chips (chip counter 0-2,559). Each chip contains 8 ticks (clock-phase 0-7). FRC 104 also generates a frame counter (0-511) for the mobile time reference by counting the frames that occur within a 5.12 second period. Also, the drift estimate is continually updated when the portable transceiver is in active mode.

[0027] When transitioning into the idle mode, a sleep/awake control signal on line 124 from the microprocessor to FRC 104 transitions to a low state. Counter 110 is reset and begins counting the rising edges of the 32 KHz clock signal. At the next rising edge of the 32 KHz clock after the sleep/awake control signal transitions to a low state, the current mobile time reference and drift estimate from TXCO circuit 106 is provided to correction circuit 114. At this time the portable transceiver goes into idle mode. During each subsequent count, correction circuit 114 updates the mobile time reference using the count and the drift estimate. Thus, the mobile time reference and drift estimate is maintained during the idle mode.

[0028] When transitioning to the active mode, the sleep/awake control signal transitions to a high state. At the next rising edge of the 32 KHz clock, the updated mobile time reference maintained in correction circuit 114 is provided to TCXO circuit 106 and FRC 104 begins providing the mobile time reference for the portable transceiver using the 30.72 MHz clock and the updated mobile time reference as a starting point.

[0029] The idle time may extend into a number of seconds, and the active time with no paging detected could be as long as 5 milliseconds. Maintaining the mobile time reference during idle mode allows the portable transmitter to quickly transition to an active state, which translates into a shorter duration in the active state, thus reducing power consumption and extending battery life. Maintaining the mobile time reference to a 32 nanosecond accuracy improves the efficiency of detecting, identifying, and monitoring the incoming multipath signals.

[0030] The FRC provides a timing reference for the portable transceiver system and for acquiring the parameters required to recovery the multipath signals and operate a nultipath signal receiver.

[0031] WCDMA modem 52 includes FRC 104, receiver equalizer 126, multipath monitor 128, and multipath radio signal recovery circuit 130. The mobile time reference from FRC 104 is provided to both multipath monitor 128, such as a code acquisition system, and multipath radio signal recovery circuit 130, such as a RAKE receiver as known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The digital signal from the receiver BAP is provided to receiver equalizer 126 and equalized prior to being provided on bus 144 to multipath monitor 128 and multipath radio signal recovery circuit 130.

[0032] Multipath monitor 128 includes primary sync searcher 116, secondary sync searcher 118, and gold code searcher 120, and provides information regarding these searches to the microprocessor.

[0033] In one embodiment, multipath radio signal recovery circuit 130 includes SPP controller 122, twelve SPPs 132, twelve first-in first-out (FIFO) circuits 134, twelve phase correctors 136, deskewing and timing controller (DTC) 138, four maximal rate combiners (MRC) 140, and four demodulation units 142.

[0034] SPP controller 122 maps up to twelve multipath signals to SPPs 132 and provides a start command on bus 146 to each of the SPPs 132. Each SPP recovers and tracks incoming clock information relative to a basestation, provides the clock information to DTC 138, and provides phase estimation for both single and multiple basestation antennas to the corresponding phase corrector 136. The clock information provided to DTC 138 is in the same form as the mobile time reference having a clock-phase, a chip-counter, and a slot-counter. The mapped equalized signal is passed through each SPP 132 to the corresponding FIFO 134. Each FIFO 134 has a subperiod of 512 chips. Each radio frame includes 38,400 chips or seventy-five subperiods of 512 chips.

[0035] DTC 138 using the clock information from each of SPPs 132 provides a read address and read strobe signal from bus 148 to each SPP, which time aligns the outputs of FIFOs 134 relative to one another. The operation of DTC 138 is a complex PLL operation. The output of each FIFO 134 is provided to the corresponding phase corrector 136 which corrects the phase of the signal using the phase estimation provided by the corresponding SPP 132. The outputs of each phase corrector 136 is mapped to one of the four MRCs 140. Each MRC 140 combines the signals mapped to it to increase the strength of the signal. The strengthened signal from each MRC 140 is provided to the corresponding demodulation unit 142. Demodulation unit 142 recovers information from the signal on up to eight channels. Thirty-two different channels are provided for information recovery.

[0036] One of the benefits of the above recovery system is that the information is not recovered from the signals until the signals are aligned improving the efficiency of the recovery. Another benefit is that signals from either or both of the antennas from a basestation can be utilized and mapped to an SPP. Still another benefit is the ability to align the signals from asynchronous basestations.

[0037] The present invention provides a method and wideband spread spectrum receiver that recovers multipath signal components from multiple asynchronous transmitters or co-located antennas utilizing diversity transmission. The receiver tracks multiple assigned multipath signals, possibly from multiple antennas, and aligns signal components at the chip rate of the spread spectrum system. Next, the receiver performs phase and channel correction at the chip rate, combines signal components from each transmitting antenna at the chip rate, removes multiple spreading codes in parallel, and removes orthogonal channelization codes in parallel. Then, the receiver performs macro diversity combining, processes diversity transmitted signals, and reduces signal quantization bandwidth to an optimal dynamic range that minimizes memory requirement for error correction decoding. The receiver reduces the memory and processing requirement needed for multiple received signal paths in the presence of diversity encoding at the transmitter, when it is required that the receiver operate over a plethora of spreading channelization codes that are utilized in 3G spread spectrum systems.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the method of recovering spread spectrum radio signals is shown. Initially, clock information is recovered from a plurality of signals emitted from at least one basestation as shown in block 200. In block 202, the plurality of signals are then aligned by the deskewing and timing unit using the recovered clock information. Each of the aligned signals are mapped to one of the four maximal ratio combiners in block 204. As shown in block 206, each maximal ratio combiner combines the signals mapped to it. Finally, symbol information is recovered from the combined signals in block 208. Symbol information includes the other information from the received signals excluding the clock information.

[0039] The above described signal recovery system and method tracks and recovers dynamic clock information, and provides the information to a central source that creates the necessary arrangement to align the incoming signals.

[0040] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described may be made, none of which depart from the scope of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of recovering spread spectrum radio signals in a wideband spread spectrum communication system, comprising: recovering clock information from a plurality of signals emitted from at least one basestation; aligning the plurality of signals using the recovered clock information; combining at least two of the aligned signals; and recovering symbol information from the combined signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein recovering clock information includes mapping the signals to single path processors.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein recovering clock information includes using a constantly available mobile time reference.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the mobile time reference is accurate to at least 32 nanoseconds.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mobile time reference is generated using a high frequency temperature controlled crystal oscillator and a low frequency crystal oscillator.
 6. The method of claim 1, further including correcting the phase of the aligned signals.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein combining at least two of the aligned signals includes the capability to combine four sets of signals.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein recovering information includes creating eight channels for each combined signal.
 9. A portable transceiver system for a wireless communication system comprising: an antenna; a radio frequency subsystem coupled to the antenna and including a high frequency oscillator and a low frequency oscillator; a baseband subsystem coupled to the radio frequency system and including a free running counter coupled to the high frequency oscillator and the low frequency oscillator and a multipath signal recovery circuit coupled to the free running counter; and at least one peripheral device coupled to the baseband subsystem to receive and supply signals to the baseband receiver, the multipath signal recovery circuit including a plurality of single path processors to recover clock information from a plurality of incoming signals.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the multipath signal recovery circuit includes a single path processor controller to map one of the incoming signals to each of the single path processors using the free running counter.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the multipath signal recovery circuit includes a deskewing and timing controller coupled to the single path processors to align the incoming signals using the clock information.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the multipath signal recovery circuit includes a phase corrector coupled to each single path processor to correct the phase of the incoming signal after being aligned.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the multipath signal recovery circuit includes at least one maximal ratio combiner coupled to all of the phase correctors to combine at least two of the signals outputted from the phase correctors.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the free running counter provides a mobile time reference to the system and has a wake mode and a sleep mode, during the wake mode the free running counter uses the high frequency oscillator to generate the mobile time reference, and during sleep mode the free running counter uses the low frequency oscillator to maintain the mobile time reference.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the high frequency oscillator is a temperature controlled crystal oscillator.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the temperature controlled crystal oscillator provides a 30.72 MHz clock.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the low frequency oscillator is a crystal oscillator.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the crystal oscillator provides a 32 KHz clock.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile time reference has an accuracy of at least 32 nanoseconds.
 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the free running counter includes a phase locked loop coupling the low frequency oscillator to the high frequency oscillator.
 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the free running counter includes a drift estimator for the low frequency oscillator. 